Is this Al Madrigal's moment?

Friday

Apr 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" has become a generation's source for fake news. It has also become a launching pad for television and movie talent. Steve Carell and Ed Helms both moved from "The Daily Show" to "The Office" and big-screen success. Rob Corddry ("Hot Tub Time Machine" and "Childrens Hospital") has also branched out. There was a time when former correspondent Mo Rocca seemed to be providing snarky commentary on every other cable show. The voice of longtime contributor Lewis Black can be heard in any number of cartoons and commercials. Beth Littleford, whose presence on "The Daily Show" predated Stewart's, can be seen in the Disney sitcom repeat "Dog With a Blog" (10 p.m. on Disney).

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" has become a generation's source for fake news. It has also become a launching pad for television and movie talent. Steve Carell and Ed Helms both moved from "The Daily Show" to "The Office" and big-screen success. Rob Corddry ("Hot Tub Time Machine" and "Childrens Hospital") has also branched out. There was a time when former correspondent Mo Rocca seemed to be providing snarky commentary on every other cable show. The voice of longtime contributor Lewis Black can be heard in any number of cartoons and commercials. Beth Littleford, whose presence on "The Daily Show" predated Stewart's, can be seen in the Disney sitcom repeat "Dog With a Blog" (10 p.m. on Disney).

"Senior British Correspondent" John Oliver's name recognition should increase when he takes over for Stewart this summer after the host takes a 12-week break to direct a movie. And no former correspondent has done a better job of creating his own brand than Stephen Colbert with his spinoff "The Colbert Report."

With that history in mind, I screened the standup special "Al Madrigal: Why Is the Rabbit Crying?" (11 on Comedy Central). Madrigal has been the faux news show's "SeÃ±or Latino Correspondent" since 2011.

His standup special lacks the thundering music and amped-up pace of "The Daily Show." Much of his material is family-related, even if not all of his language and material is family-friendly.

Madrigal spins stories about life as a husband and dad in Los Angeles and the unintended comedy and dread that can occur when you discover that your child's soccer coach is also a gang member sporting a neck tattoo featuring an incomprehensible slogan, "Why Is the Rabbit Crying?" The meaning? Madrigal never has the nerve to ask.

Some of "Rabbit" would not be out of place in "The Cosby Show" realm. A great deal of material is about being awakened by needy children at dawn, the secret signals long-married couples use to communicate and the need for a harried father to retreat to the bathroom for an undisturbed glance at the sports pages.

This is a low-energy affair, more about a shared humanity than edgy, angry satire. The belly laughs are few, but the live audience appears to be enjoying itself.

— We're used to watching the writers for "The Daily Show" walking off with most of the Emmys. The writers for Joan Rivers' series "Fashion Police" (10 on E!) are looking for more than prizes. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced a strike, claiming that the E! show has denied the show's 12 writers the right to union representation. The writers have also have filed $1.5 million in wage and hour claims, including payment for unpaid regular and overtime hours. In published reports, Rivers has indicated that she "supports the 'Fashion Police' writers, and wants a fair agreement for them."

Stay tuned.

— "Live From Lincoln Center" (9 on WGBH, TV-PG) presents "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel With the New York Philharmonic."